Archive for March, 2012

I was recently reminded just why I refuse to be associated with any “social network.” Not only that, I was reminded of this on a media I least suspected I’d find it but I’ll address that media another time.” As the topic states, this is about “busy bodies.” We all know these people. They are the ones who for some reason or other try to push, shove, or invoke (whatever word you want to use) their ideas and beliefs on others thinking they have the gift to determine what is right or wrong with others and their respective choices in life. This includes governments, churches, and even certain of those not involved with either of the aforementioned.

A friend of mine after I told him about my little bout with a certain individual put it this way, “you have 6 months where you try to get your life in order, then you spend 7 months trying to get into others lives and run them.” Interesting thought occurs. There are not 13 months in a year. This also tells me that those “busy bodies” are not getting their own lives in order. They are much too worried about how they can get others lives in order. Yes, they spend too much time worrying about others to even think to take a deeper look at themselves.

Another friend of mine put it succinctly, he said use the person’s own words against them. In this case use the religious zealots own words against them. “Judge not least you be judged.” This may not be an exact quote of the bible but I do recall where it’s roots lie. It represents the time that Jesus came upon the lady to be stoned for adultery. The would be participants in the stoning walked away after being reminded not to judge others for a sins you yourself may have committed. Believe me when I say I’ve seen it. This is exactly what happened to several Catholic clergy members around the world. It probably still goes on today. It’s just not out in the limelight as it use to be.

Now you’re going to say I’m an atheist. Actually I’m not. I’m agnostic. A true atheist wouldn’t believe in himself/herself. Think about that. I’m not against those that have beliefs in the bible or God. Just don’t throw it in another person’s face if you don’t live those belief’s. It reminds me of people like Rush Limbaugh (reputed reformed narcotics addict). Look what happen to him. His own mouth become his biggest downfall. Was he on drugs at the time? Who really knows. I don’t care because it’s none of my business. However there are others out there who made it their own personal agenda (business).

As the government end of this, it reminds me of various laws. Most of them dealing with what is known as “vice” laws. For those of you who read this I’ll define what I mean here. Vice as of Dictionary.com’s meaning is:

I choose this meaning because it’s just how government uses the term. Vice laws in this country deal with two specific things for the most part. They are drugs and prostitution. This is another form of government putting their nose into other people’s business via being paid off by various pharmaceutical companies to keep various drugs from becoming “over the counter.” (i.e. legal). If it were their choice they’d have all drugs as controlled substances. More on this later. Prostitution is the church via the government sticking their head into your bedroom.

Most of these things I speak of happen every day in the U.S.A. and other countries. More so in other countries who have a lower educational standards than my own. Again, more on education later. These people who hold power. One scene in a not so recent movie reminds me of the powers of government and religion. “Remember, with great power, comes great responsibility. ” These “busy bodies”, don’t even want the responsibility of their own lives let alone those they tell what to do. Another quote that is dear to my heart that holds true here “Absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

These “busy bodies” who don’t even want responsibility for their own lives want power like all other power mongers. They think if they can run your lives their lives will be better somehow. Well if they get in power and in many cases this even includes you and I. The last sentence of the last paragraph holds true. The more power you have to wield the more corrupt you will become for power sake. I’ll make a separate post on greed, power, and corruption. The “busy body” that initiated this posting if she reads it will know who she is.

My last words to those seeking power via the church, the government or any other organization are simple. Before you speak in private or in public, “GET YOUR OWN HOUSE IN ORDER” before you start condemning others. This means if you preach the bible practice what you preach. If you have an opinion and everybody does “Everyone has an opinion and opinions are like assholes, every one has one and they all stink.” The last quote was said to me by my Navy boot camp company commander.

Personally, I try not to tell others what to do. I tell them, here is what I “recommend” whether or not you choose to follow my recommendation is your own decision. I don’t label people. There are good and bad everywhere. Though my zodiac says I’d be a great leader, at what costs. It’s against my upbringing to tell others how to live their lives. All I can do is tell others what I’ve experienced or “recommend” a decision. I feel I was put on this Earth to listen to others. Offer a shoulder to cry on if necessary. I’m not here to judge others for what they have done past or present. Yet here I sit judgement for what another person has done to me. I’d like to say I have the moral high ground here but here’s a good question for you all. WHO DECIDES ON WHAT IS MORAL OR NOT? You, me, another. See my point?

phi·lan·thro·py

altruistic concern for human welfare and advancement, usually manifested by donations of money, property, or work to needy persons, by endowment of institutions of learning and hospitals, and by generosity to other socially useful purposes.

2.

the activity of donating to such persons or purposes in this way: to devote one’s later years to philanthropy.

3.

a particular act, form, or instance of this activity: The art museum was their favorite philanthropy.

Let’s look at each of the four meanings of this very special word. The first one is more or less left to those whom have excessive amounts of money to contribute though there are those that contribute over time to the extent taht the other parties do. Most of these people generally contribute to schools or hospitals. They generally do so and get the promise from the entity to which they make their (tax write off) donation to, to name a building or something after them. Yes, there I said it again. Tax write off. Many of the wealthy use a limited but usually maxed out amount of contributions as a tax shelter or writeoff. Admittedly there is only so much that can be written off as contributions. Then it’s that persons money.

Getting back on subject, the wealthy besides, donating monetary funds donate time in the form of public speaking engagements. Think of one of our former presidents (I am in the U.S. for those that may stop by from a country outside of mine) donating an hour to give a short speech as well as have a short Q&A session. Most public speakers charge between $30K and $60K per hour. At least the most successful do. So they’ve contributed a check to a school, hospital, or other charity as well as monetary funds in their speaking performance. All well and good. This is definitely a plus for those asking for the donations.

Ok. Moving on to the second description. Let me use a very dear and known name to you and me both to tag this one. Bill Gates. Yes, the billionaire. He’s publicly stated that his children will have to earn their money the old fashion way (I won’t comment on this statement here). He’s using his entire fortune to benefit man/woman in various projects funded through his and his wife’s organization aptly named Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Every now and then you’ll hear of this organization and what it does. That or you’ll look it up on the web. They take other people’s donations as well. Most of what I’ve found out about their projects has been positive. They’ve helped the homeless, they’ve helped educate African’s about AIDS, Bill himself is active with a company who’s sole job is to make it so weather forecasters can better predict hurricanes saving ungodly amounts of money, manpower, and time. It’s truly amazing that this man acquired all this wealth and is spending it to do some good though I’m not a fan of Microsoft (more later). This is philanthropy to its finest.

As to the third description I think those that volunteer their time or money or both such as the people in El Gwapo’s group (Resurrections) which the homeless refer to as Hotdog Joe’s as well as those that do the tireless work at the Soup Cellar best fit this description. They volunteer their time if nothing else. Some contribute their money to help these organizations. Then still there are others who do volunteer work in any number or fashion to help others out. They all fall under the third definition for philanthropy. Most of these people are middle class or even the poor themselves helping out those less fortunate. They can be church groups or any other group or individual. Even I could be a philanthropist with the measly $127 disability check I get from the Veteran’s Administration.

Now number four via Dictionary.com’s definition I don’t believe in. A philanthropy organization is a fallacy. First of all they have a staff that gets paid to select the work they fund. Most times that pay comes out of the donations either monetarily or otherwise. Like all charities, these organizations generally come at an administrative fee.” This to me excludes them from the definition proper. Charities are just that ,charities. They are not meant to be organizations used by greedy people to enhance their agenda or their own gains which so many administrators do now.

Don’t believe me, look at your local public school system. Don’t believe that, ask any charity Muscular Dystrophy Association, The American Cancer Society or others, what administrative costs they have. You’ll be astonished. Some run as high as 30%. That’s right up to 30 cents on every dollar is taken out on administrative costs. It’s pretty shameful what others will do to get into yours and my pockets in the name of charity/philanthropy.

Alright, that’s what I’ve considered philanthropy. I know others have their definitions too. However, one thing is for certain. All organizations whether it be places like Oliver Gospel Mission or the Muscular Dystrophy Association have administrative fees. Look before you donate and find out just how much is going to those that are needing the charity of others to get by from day to day. If an organization is spending more than 15% of it’s donations on administrative fees then they are spending too much that should go to those they are championing. That figure is ball park. you can set that standard higher or lower. You may think 10% is too much in administrative costs. As for me, I haven’t got the money to be a philanthropist.